Review my pc!
DiscoZombie
Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">before I buy it...</div><a href="http://img123.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newputerot4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/7878/newputerot4.th.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" /></a>
here's the system I may buy... includes:<ul><li>Assembly and testing - they build it for me. I definitely trust them more than myself.</li><li>Windows XP Pro - is there a real difference between pro and home?</li><li>Intel Core Duo E6600 - just below top-of-the-line Core Duo, but $200 cheaper</li><li>Asus P5B Deluxe mobo - had it recommended to me</li><li>2 gigs Corsair memory - same</li><li>Thermaltake case - average and somewhat pretty</li><li>500W Enermax PSU - was also recommended. I don't want to skimp on PSU this time like I did on my last PC -_-</li><li>250GB Western Digital HD</li><li>cheapo Sony DVD drive - I never burn CDs or DVDs so I figure might as well save some bucks</li><li>Geforce 6800 - going low-end as per RustySpoon's suggestion and will replace it when DX10 cards come out</li></ul>
please tell me how I can improve this computer without making it ridiculously expensive <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /> and alert me of any grave errors I made in choosing parts... I know very little about what's good and bad, I'm working from a composite of advice from various people only =P
here's the system I may buy... includes:<ul><li>Assembly and testing - they build it for me. I definitely trust them more than myself.</li><li>Windows XP Pro - is there a real difference between pro and home?</li><li>Intel Core Duo E6600 - just below top-of-the-line Core Duo, but $200 cheaper</li><li>Asus P5B Deluxe mobo - had it recommended to me</li><li>2 gigs Corsair memory - same</li><li>Thermaltake case - average and somewhat pretty</li><li>500W Enermax PSU - was also recommended. I don't want to skimp on PSU this time like I did on my last PC -_-</li><li>250GB Western Digital HD</li><li>cheapo Sony DVD drive - I never burn CDs or DVDs so I figure might as well save some bucks</li><li>Geforce 6800 - going low-end as per RustySpoon's suggestion and will replace it when DX10 cards come out</li></ul>
please tell me how I can improve this computer without making it ridiculously expensive <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /> and alert me of any grave errors I made in choosing parts... I know very little about what's good and bad, I'm working from a composite of advice from various people only =P
Comments
I also have a Duo 6600 processor, and 2Gb Corsair memory (800Mhz, CL4). Check to see if you can get CL4 over CL5 memory if you can, as its just a bit faster - where I bought it from (dabs.com, UK site) the CL4 ram was actually cheaper than the CL5, despite it supposedly being better!
Windows Home sucketh mine balls. There are many subtle differences between the two, but I can't think of any right now. I do remember numerously cursing beneath my breath for purchasing Home edition, tho, and I'm sure you'll be better off with Pro.
Good setup altogether.
Also, that case is not pretty <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
I would go for an Antec P180 myself, but then again, I prefer not too much Razzle Dazzle around.
For a PSU, I would go for a Seasonic : S12, or M12 depending on if you want modular cables or not. (careful, you'd want at least 500W because the lower power ones are not the same series and aren't as good)
Get a DVD burner, it's not exactly expensive and you'll eventually figure out you want to store something on a DVD or CD.
I expect to be well paid in beer and ######s(WOMEN OF QUESTIONABLE SEXUAL DEVIANCE, why must this be censored too?) .
Windows Home sucketh mine balls. There are many subtle differences between the two, but I can't think of any right now. I do remember numerously cursing beneath my breath for purchasing Home edition, tho, and I'm sure you'll be better off with Pro.
Good setup altogether.
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Subtle differences between Home and Pro. Well, APPLICABLE differences...
Easier to do mass networking. And I'm talking like 10+ systems.
File and print sharing gets set up by default.
Easier to lock other people out of your files, and even easier to lock yourself out of them.
Anyone who tries to sell you XP Pro without seeing if you actually fit the bill for it is trying to make an extra £40 out of you...
And before anyone goes "Hey Adam, aren't you running Pro?", yes I am, but XP x64 doesn't have a home version...
Why is that E6600 so expensive? They're 300 Euros (tax included) in France and I'm very quite sure that one Euro isn't anywhere near 2.5+ Dollars
Also, that case is not pretty <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
I would go for an Antec P180 myself, but then again, I prefer not too much Razzle Dazzle around.
For a PSU, I would go for a Seasonic : S12, or M12 depending on if you want modular cables or not. (careful, you'd want at least 500W because the lower power ones are not the same series and aren't as good)
Get a DVD burner, it's not exactly expensive and you'll eventually figure out you want to store something on a DVD or CD.
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in the pic, that's a processor/motherboard/memory bundle you're looking at, so it's not just the chip that's that expensive <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
I'll look into other PSU options, and also the Corsair CL4 RAM - as always, thanks for the tips all ;P
Good choice about the gfx, DX10 way to go.
Is Geforce 6800 still on sale? I thought they didn't sell them anymore.
Whatever GPU you get, just make sure it has 512 VRAM for lasting power- with the rest of your rig, you'll need it.
That graphics card is going to be a huge, huge bottleneck in that system. You've got some truly state of the art stuff, but you go back to a 6800? Yeesh. Spend another 150 and get yourself a <a href="http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=326052" target="_blank">7950</a>. It'll get rid of that bottleneck mostly, and it isn't an outrageous price.
Whatever GPU you get, just make sure it has 512 VRAM for lasting power- with the rest of your rig, you'll need it.
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It would be stupid to drop 150 bones on something that's just going to be obsolete in a few months. DX10 or bust.
now my question is, how hard is it to put it together yourself? should I save myself $80 and not get the assembly and testing? I don't have any tools in my haus besides, like, a couple screwdrivers... what goes into putting a computer together? I've installed drives before, which is as easy as screwing something in and connecting a cable, and video cards and memory, which are as easy as sticking something in a slot... and since I'm buying a mobo bundle I don't think I have to deal with thermal paste and chip and heatsink installation or whatever goes into that process... I think the PSU comes pre-installed in the case also...
so what WOULD I have to do? screw mobo into case, install drives and video card like I already know how to do, and that's it? if so, I'll definitely save myself the $80 and do it. I'm always terrified of static shocking something or not knowing where to plug something in, etc... I wouldn't even know if I was forgetting to plug something in, if a wire or cable wasn't included or something...
Single user environment, about the only thing you really gain is Remote Desktop.
Multiple users on the computer, it might be worth looking at XP.
Don't forget to discharge yourself of static relatively regularly, touch anything that's grounded and you're good to go, but if you're very afraid, buy a wrist strap or an anti-static mat (I've never used them)
The most delicate part would be applying thermal grease to your processor, but this isn't that hard, just look at how it's supposed to be done (diverse sources can help you) and it's not dangerous considering processors have heatspreaders now.
Manage your cables to make it all clean inside.
If you have to set up case fans, a general idea is to put the one in front to blow inside and the one behind to blow outside the case, so as to create a flow through the case.
Do you know how to install Windows? Since you're using SATA drives, you might get an error during install that says "no drives found" when it asks where you want to install Windows. If that's the case, you'll need to provide a diskette with Sata drivers (provided with the motherboard) by pressing F6 when asked ("if you need to install additional SCSI adapters" or something)
Just ask for people you know that could guide you if you'll need help on the spot, it's always better than watching for forum posts.
In any case, with expensive equipment, better be on the safe side especially if it's a first <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
That aside...
Applying paste to any Intel CPU outside of a laptop is a piece of urine. Just spread it all over the big metal chip die thing with the codes on it. Don't spread it too thickly, or you'll insulate the chip. Not too thinly either, or you won't get a good energy transfer. You're looking at having it about the thickness of a piece of paper, that's about 0.1 to 0.2mm.
Oh, and anti-static mats are very much for the lose. I've had to use one before (well, it was an antistatic carpet-thing), and the ankle straps aren't the most comfortable things in the world. I kept scratching at mine because it itched so damn much. Invest in a wrist strap though. They are the win.
Failing that, screw the power supply to the case, and connect it to the mains, but don't turn it on. Keep touching bare metal onn the inside of the case, and you'll be doing the same job as a grounding strap/mat. Not many know about that...
thanks in advance and sorry to interrupting the thread <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />